Chapter 52: Xiao Nian Joins the Regiment
Zheng Sanfu asked, "What business are they in?"
"Huaihua specialties. Qianyang Golden Autumn Pear, Huitong Dried Bamboo Shoots, Zhijiang White Wax, Zhijiang Sweet Tea, Liangsang Dried Tofu, Xinhong Bacon, and much more. And all these things are authentic."
Zheng Sanfu said, "These things must be transported from Huaihua. It seems the Japanese have done a lot of preparation in advance."
Qiao Shaowen: "The shop has four people. The boss is around 37 or 38 years old, probably the one you mentioned, Gu Shang. There are three assistants, and I estimate all three of them are Japanese."
"Of course, a spy's shop doesn't use their own people; that's a loophole. Da Shao said, keep a close eye on them. Find out every contact these four have, especially with the artillery division. Have all the information in our hands."
"You tell Da Shao, I guarantee there won't be any issues. 24/7, keep an eye on these four."
Zheng Sanfu said, "There might be only three."
"What do you mean?"
"That guy called Xiao Nian from the Japanese special forces wants to join the artillery division."
Qiao Shaowen: "We can't agree to that."
"Commander Zhou already agreed. Commander Zhou said, by letting someone in, we have the initiative. Da Shao will keep a close watch on Xiao Nian, so rest assured."
"Good!"
Zheng Sanfu bought over 20 kilograms of chili in the shop and left on a motorcycle.
Back at the regiment's canteen, Zhou Lin came over.
Zhou Lin helped Zheng Sanfu wash vegetables, and they chatted.
Zheng Sanfu conveyed Qiao Shaowen's words to Zhou Lin.
"He arrived in town three days ago, which is the day of the competition. They probably didn't participate because they lack culinary skills."
"Yeah! They bought a storefront at a high price."
Zhou Lin, washing vegetables, commented, "Buying a shop at this time, they must be trying to take advantage of him."
"Yeah!"
Zhou Lin placed the vegetables on the prep table and said, "When you go again, have Qiao's team report this to the telegraph office. Ask the chief to transfer the 21st squad here too. We have too many people watching the artillery division, and I'm worried about manpower."
"Alright!"
At that moment, Zheng Dafu arrived.
Zhou Lin and Zheng Sanfu greeted him.
"Big brother!"
"Big brother is here!"
Zheng Dafu patted Zhou Lin and Zheng Sanfu's shoulders, saying, "The regimental commander asked me to come. He said we got authentic ingredients, and you guys are making Zhijiang duck."
"I went out this morning and saw Zhicao in a shop, so I bought it back, planning to make Zhijiang duck."
Zheng Dafu happily said, "I haven't eaten authentic Zhijiang duck in years."
Zhou Lin said, "We'll make three today, and you can enjoy it to your heart's content."
While they were talking, Xiaonian arrived at the gate of the artillery division.
Xiaonian told the sentry, "I'm Xiao Nian, sent by Commander Zhou of the 2nd regiment."
The sentry said, "Commander Zhou has already informed us. You can come in."
Xiaonian entered the artillery division and was taken to the 2nd regiment.
Upon seeing Xiaonian, Commander Zhou said, "Xiao Nian, everyone who enters must familiarize themselves with the artillery positions. You're no exception. Go to the positions and get acquainted for a month. Once you've mastered the artillery skills, I'll assign you a job."
Xiao Nian said, "Thank you, Commander! I will do my best."
"Good! Where's Shuangmu?"
Commander Zhou had someone call Zhou Shuangmu. "Where were you?"
Zhou Lin scratched his head, "Commander, the canteen is preparing a big meal, and I went to help."
Commander Zhou said, "You have a big appetite. I'm assigning you a task."
Zhou Lin stood at attention, "Please give your orders!"
Commander Zhou pointed at Xiaonian, "Xiao Nian is joining today. According to regulations, he needs to familiarize himself with the artillery positions. Since you're familiar with them, I'm assigning him to you. Take him and make him familiar as soon as possible."
"Yes! I guarantee to complete the task!"
At that moment, it was almost dinner time, so Zhou Lin took Xiao Nian to the mess hall.
After having dinner, Zhou Lin took Xiao Nian to the artillery position where Zhou Lin had interned before.
The artillery captain greeted them, "Shuangmu, you're back."
Zhou Lin pointed to Xiao Nian, "This is Xiao Nian. The Commander asked him to intern here."
Looking at Xiao Nian, the artillery captain squinted his eyes. Another one to do the dirty work. It's comfortable for the old soldiers; they can slack off again.
The artillery captain enthusiastically said, "Welcome, welcome, brother Xiao Nian."
Xiao Nian politely said, "I'll trouble you, Captain."
"No trouble at all!"
There was a troublemaker who made Zhou Lin unable to go to the canteen for lunch to enjoy those good dishes.
In the afternoon, Zhou Lin and Xiao Nian participated in training together.
Throughout the training, Zhou Lin kept slacking off, and the artillery captain didn't say anything to Zhou Lin.
Why? His skill level was even higher than the artillery captain's. Let him do as he pleases.
But with Xiao Nian, the artillery captain's demands were strict.
The 125mm shells, weighing seventy to eighty kilograms each, were stacked on Xiao Nian more than thirty times by the artillery captain.
Xiao Nian's hands were swollen.
In the past, had he ever done such heavy work?
Even if he didn't want to, he had to act as if he were happy.
Zhou Lin watched with delight on the side: Little Japanese, it's easy to come in but hard to leave. If I don't peel your skin off once, I won't make up for the embarrassment under the table yesterday. Let me regain my face.
Besides, working you to exhaustion every day, you won't have the energy to do anything. Even if you do, your reaction time will be poor.
The training only ended at five in the afternoon.
Zhou Lin took Xiao Nian back to the dormitory.
Xiao Nian's dormitory was a four-person room. Initially, as a new recruit, he should only sleep on a bunk.
However, the treatment in the artillery division was good, and even the lowest-ranking soldiers had at least six-person bunks. So, he got a four-person bunk.
The other three in the four-person bunk were all seasoned soldiers.
When Xiao Nian had just arrived, an old soldier walked over, "New recruit, you know the rules?"
Xiao Nian shook his head, "I don't know."
"Then let me teach you. Starting today, the first thing you do every day is wash our clothes."
Another old soldier added, "Cleaning this room is your responsibility. It must be spotless. If it's found unsatisfactory during inspection, you'll stand on your head for half an hour."
Another old soldier said, "If we, the old soldiers, make a mistake, you have to step in and take the blame."
Xiao Nian asked, "Why?"
"Oh, have some temper! Just with that sentence, we collectively decided to punish you."
After speaking, the squad leader came into the dormitory and placed a piece of paper on the empty space on the floor.
The other two people grabbed Xiao Nian and brought him to the middle, laying him flat.
Through the old soldiers' introduction, Xiao Nian understood what was going on. This was called "Sweat Drops on the Ground Paper."
Before going to bed, he had to do push-ups on the ground. A piece of paper was placed right under his face, and when his sweat soaked the paper, he could go to sleep.
Xiao Nian wanted to resist. He was confident he could beat these three bastards.
However, he dared not reveal his skills. If people found out, they would become suspicious.
He could only do push-ups!